Well-beam saddle



Jan. 28, 1930. .B. A. HAYWARD WELL BEAM SADDLE Filed Feb. 9, 1928 Zlwwntoz B. H. Harv/7R0 Patented Jan. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEN A. HAYWARD, OF OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA WELL-BEAM SADDLE This invention relates to saddles especially adapted for use on the beams of well drilling and pumping equipment.

Briefly stated, an important object is to provide a well beam saddle having novel means by which a drilling screw or a polished rod trunnion may be suspended from and operated by a well beam with a minimum of friction and wear and which is provided with reliable means by which the head of the screw is expeditiously guided into properly seated position should the same move laterally or upwardly from its seat during the drilling of a well.

A further and equally important object'is to provide a beam attachment of the charaoter suggestedwhich may be easily applied to a beam without the exercise of unusual skill and which will greatly prolong the life of the beam and therefore greatly reduce drilling and operating costs.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective of the improved saddle applied,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the saddle applied.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention the numeral 5 designates a portion of a well beam. The forward portion of the beam is shown to be longitudinally slotted as indicated at 6 to freely receive a temper screw 7 or the attaching portion of a polished rod. Of course, a polished rod is used only in connection with pumping wells, while the temper screw 7 is used in connection with drilling operations. Since the application of a polished rod to the saddle forming the subject of this invention is not unlike the manner in which the temper screw is connected thereto, no separate illustration of the polished rod appears.

The improved saddle comprises a base 8 which may be more or less the same in diameter as the beam and which is secured to the beam by bolts 9 or other suitable fastening devices. It will be observed that the base 8 and the tilted guide member 10 of the saddle are provided with longitudinal slots registering with the longitudinal slot 6 to freely receive the temper screw and permit the cross head 14 thereof to seat in the aligned bearings 16 carried by the base 8 and the tilted member 10.

It is believed to be clear that the cross head 14 of the temper screw or the attaching portion of the polished rod will remain in place on the babbitt seats 16 during the rocking of the beam to provide a smooth operating connection between the beam and the member to which it imparts reciprocation.

Figure 2 illustrates that the cross head 14 occasionally moves out of and away from the seats 16 thereof and to limit this movement and assure the return of the cross head to the position illustrated in Figure 1 the body 8 will be found to be provided with a transverse roller 20 between the temper screw and the forward portion of the beam. 75

That portion of the guide member 10 rearwardly of the seats 16 is shown to be provided with an upper surface tilted downwardly in the direction of the seats so that if the screw is displaced, upward movement of the beam will return the screw to properly seated position.

Figure 2 clearly illustrates that a bracing member 22 is extended downwardly from the upper rear terminal of the guide member 10 and joins the base 8 and is provided with a forwardly curved or bowed web or rib 2-1 which oins the guide member 10 at the upper terminal of the slot therein so as to limit lateral movement of the temper screw in the direction of the rear end of the beam. Thus it is, that the movement of the temper screw with respect to the beam is limited and the return of the cross head 14 to a seated position is provided for. 95

The invention forming the subject of this application is designed to take the place of the crude screw fastening devices now generally employed to hold the cross head of the screw in place on the beam and to overcome the violent pounding and excessive wear on the beam as a result of the failure of such fastening devices to accomplish the desired purpose.

It is not unusual to employ what is known in the industry as a half sole, a piece of hard wood secured on the end of the beam to relieve the beam itself of excessive pounding and wear caused by the sudden engagement of the pressure screw therewith, but such half soles are of limited life and are provided with no definite means by which the movement of the temper screw with respect to the beam is limited.

\Vith reference to Figure 1 it will be observed that the upper meeting portions of the guide member 10 and the brace 22 thereof are provided with a lubricant containing cup 30 and that lubricant conveying ducts 32 are extended from the cup 30 to supply the lubricant to the upper surface of the guide member 10 and to the bearings 16. The ducts 32 are in the nature of grooves from a point intermediate the ends of the guide member 10 down to the bearings 16 to supply the lubricant to the upper surface of the guide member. Of course, a substantial portion of the lubricant will flow down through the exposed portions of the ducts to supply the bearings 16.

It is to be understood that the form of invention herewith shown and described is to be taken merely as a preferred example of the same and that such minor changes in arrangement and construction of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A saddle for use on well beams comprising a base adapted for attachment to a well beam and being provided with a raised guide member having a tilted upper surface adapted for engagement by the cross head of a drilling screw. and a brace for said raised guide member, there being a rib connected to said brace and said guide member and being in the path of travel of a drilling screw to limit movement of the same.

2. A saddle for use on well beams comprising a base adapted for attachment to a well beam and being provided with a raised guide member having a tilted upper surface adapted for engagement by the cross head of a drilling screw, a brace for said raised guide member, there being a bowed rib connected to said brace and said guide member and being in the path of travel of a drilling screw to limit movement of the same, and a roller carried by said base and adapted for engagement by a drilling screw.

3. A drilling screw saddle comprising a base having means whereby the same may be attached to a beam and being provided with a raised guide member having a slotfor the reception of a drilling screw, said raised guide member being provided with seats adapted for engagement by the cross head of a drilling screw, a roller extending across said slot for engagement by a drilling screw, and a brace connected to said base and to the rear terminal portion of said raised guide men'iber and having a bowed rib adapted to engage a drilling screw to limit lateral movement of the same.

4. A drilling screw saddle comprising a base having means whereby the same may be attached to a beam and being provided with a raised guide member having a longitudinal slot for the reception of a drilling screw, said raised guide member being provided between the ends thereof with seats adapted for engagement by the cross head of a drilling screw, a roller extending across said slot for engagcn'iei'it by a drilling screw, a brace con erected to said base and to the rear terminal portion of said raised guide member and having a rib adapted to engage a drilling screw to limit lateral movement of the same, said guide member being provided with lubricant conveying ducts opening onto the surface of the guide member for supplying a lubricant thereto and extending down to said seats for conducting a lubricant to the seats.

5. In a structure of the character specified, a base having a raised guide member having a tilted upper surface and seats. both of which are adapted for engagement by the cross head of asuspension device, a brace having connection with the upper portion of the guide member, a lubricant cup at the upper portion of the guide member, said guide member being provided with ducts opening onto the surface of the guide member to lubricate said surface, said ducts being extended down to said seats "for supplying a lubricant thereto.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

BEN A. HAYlVARD. 

